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Our scientists are conducting some of the most impactful rainforest research in the world.

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Established by the Royal Society in 1985, the South East Asia Rainforest Research Partnership (SEARRP) facilitates world-class scientific research that addresses the major environmental issues facing the tropics: plantation development, habitat restoration, and climate change.

From our base in Borneo’s Danum Valley, we work in close collaboration with leading international universities and local partners to facilitate research by individual scientists and manage a suite of large-scale field experiments.

Over the last 30 years, SEARRP scientists have made a seminal contribution to our understanding of rainforests, their conservation, restoration, and sustainable management. Our mission is to train and mentor the next generation of scientists and conservation leaders, and inform policy and best practice at local, regional and global levels.

“SEARRP has catalysed one of the most important rainforest conservation initiatives on Earth.”William F. Laurance, PhD, FAA, FAAAS, FRSQDistinguished Research Professor & Australian Laureate

Why Borneo?

Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, is one of the most biodiverse places on earth. Its mosaic of land uses, from untouched forest to oil palm plantations, offers a unique and timely opportunity for research.

Through our long-term and collaborative projects in Sabah, SEARRP scientists are able to address the key issues of habitat restoration and sustainable plantation management, with findings applicable across the South East Asian tropics.

“I have filmed in the Danum Valley on Borneo on several occasions and it’s one of the most important ecosystems to protect and study.”Sir David Attenborough

See Danum Valley in David Attenborough’s
“Conquest of the Skies” series.

Rainforests contain more than half of the planet’s animal and plant species, and support the livelihoods of over one billion people. They also play a critical role in stabilising the earth’s climate and atmosphere and maintaining the water cycle — massive global issues that impact all of us.

PROTECTING
BIODIVERSITY Tropical rainforests are home to the greatest number of plant and animal species found on Earth. Covering only 5% of the planet’s surface, these forests house close to 50% of global biodiversity.

PROTECTING
THE CLIMATE Often referred to as the “lungs of the world,” the rainforest canopy acts as a living interface between the earth’s biosphere and atmosphere. Tropical forests store immense quantities of carbon, and have the potential to play a major role in mitigating climate change.

PROTECTING
People Some 500 million people live in tropical forests, and they are essential to the livelihoods of a further one billion people, including about half of the world’s very poor.

Stories of Impact

Through a dedicated team which focusses on the delivery of impact, and long-standing links with government, forest and plantation companies and NGOs, SEARRP works hard to ensure that key research findings make a direct contribution to policy and best practice.